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6. The USDA/Land-Grant University partnership is critical to food and fiber 

 production, rural development, environmental protection, and other significant 

 societal and economic issues affecting people in both rural and urban areas. 



7. The research, extension and education functions have many commonalities, 

 both in constituencies and in functional relationships. Structural relationships 

 should support collaboration and cooperation among all relevant units, both 

 within and outside the Department. 



Restructuring Options 



Mr. Chairman, at this time I would like to present the Subcommittee with 

 three possible scenarios for the placement of ES in a restructuring of USDA. These are: 



1) placement in a Subcabinet unit with regulatory and service agencies, 



2) placement in a Subcabinet unit with research agencies, and 



3) placement in a Subcabinet unit with other education and information agencies. 



Allow me to briefly discuss the characteristics of each of these models which are 

 briefly discussed below. 



Placement of ES in a Subcabinent Unit with Regulatory and Service Agencies 

 fe.g.. FmHA. ASCS. SCS. FCIO 



It is our understanding that this structure is currently under consideration by USDA. 

 It would provide: 



• The potential for improved coordination between the educational role of 

 Extension and the regulatory/service role of agencies that provide a direct 

 service to selected users (agricultural producers). 



■ Potential for increased collaboration and coordination of programs and 



services at the local level. 



• The potential to restrict the program to agriculture and reduce the current 

 collaboration with other federal units (i.e., ARS, CSRS, FNS, HNIS). 



• The strong potential for reduced state and local govermnent and clientele 

 support if they perceive their broader expectations, beyond farm programs, 

 will not be met 



• Separation and the potential for reduced coordination between research and 

 extension at the federal level. 



